Int. J. Agri. Agri. R.
International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR) ISSN: 2223-7054 (Print) 2225-3610 (Online) http://www.innspub.net Vol. 9, No. 1, p. 109-116, 2016 OPEN ACCESS
RESEARCH PAPER
Valorization of shea caterpillar droppings (Cirina butyrospermi Vuillet) in the ecological management of soil fertility in Burkina Faso K. Coulibaly1,4, A.P.K Gomgnimbou*2, B. Bacye1, H.B. Nacro1, M.P. Sedogo3 Laboratoire d’étude et de recherche sur la fertilité du sol (LERF), Université Polytechnique de
1
Bobo-Dioulasso (UPB) Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso Laboratoire Sol Eau Plante, Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherche Agricole (INERA), Bobo-
2
Dioulasso, Burkina Faso Laboratoire Sol-Eau-Plante, Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherche Agricole (INERA),
3
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso Unité de Recherche en Production Animale (URPAN)/Centre International de Recherche-
4
Développement sur l’Elevage en zone Sub-humide (CIRDES), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso Article published on July 23, 2016 Key words: Caterpillar droppings, Chemical properties, Ecological management, Soil fertility, Burkina Faso.
Abstract Works on park lands show that shea tree is a widespread species in the fields in Burkina Faso. There are caterpillars which are rich in proteins and throw out important quantity of dejection on the soil surface. The aim of this study was to determine the amount of droppings produced by caterpillars and their chemical quality in Koumbia area. The amount of dejection was determined on small plots and expressed as amount of dry matter (DM). Chemical analyzes have focused on the major elements (C, N, P and K). Our results show an average production of 19.34 kg for an average area of 68.47 m2 under a shea tree. We also observe that the production of caterpillar droppings is a function of the shea trees density and fluctuate between 440 and 3 775 kg ha-1. The data of chemical analyzes show that caterpillar droppings have high content of carbon (477.7 g kg-1) and nitrogen (10.8 g kg-1) and low content of phosphorus (0.3 g kg-1) and potassium (0.9 g kg-1). The amounts of C and N that caterpillar droppings are likely to bring, show that they can cover between 56 and 484 % of annual loss of soil C and fully compensate exports N of major crops (cotton, maize, sorghum) of the study area. The valorization of caterpillar droppings is therefore a way of ecological management of soil fertility of shea parks. However, the C/N (44) of caterpillar droppings suggests further agronomic investigations. * Corresponding
Author: A.P.K Gomgnimbou gpkalain@yahoo.fr
Caulibaly et al.
Page
109
Int. J. Agri. Agri. R. Introduction
This village is the administrative center of the
Cropping systems in Burkina Faso are characterized
municipality of Koumbia which is subject to a
by intensive tillage, a common grazing and burning of
Sudanese climate with rainfall between 800 and 1100
crop residues. With population growth and the rapid
mm per year. Koumbia is characterized by relatively
spread of cotton field, there is an increasing of
plane terrain, very high agricultural impact (52 % of
cultivated territory and continuous use of land. The
land is under cultivation), high animal density (22
consequence
rapid
UBT km-2) and human heavy pressure (38 persons
deterioration of soil fertility (TraorĂŠ et al., 2007;
km-2). Thirty percent (30%) of the land are occupied
Coulibaly et al., 2012.). To restore the soil production
by protected forests (Diallo et Vall, 2010). Cotton is
capacity, research has proposed various technologies
the main crop in the area, followed by corn. Livestock
like the use of manure, compost and litter (SĂŠdogo
is one of the main activities of the area and
1993; Berger, 1996; BacyĂŠ et al., 1998).
represents, after agriculture, the second source of
of
these
practices
is
the
income for farmers. The
recycling
of
the
biomass
produced
by
components of traditional agroforestry systems have been the subject of research (Bayala et al., 2003; Saïdou et al., 2012). The research conducted by Bayala et al. (2003) showed that the soil carbon increases significantly when the amount of Parkia biglobosa mulch increases in soil. In shea parks (Vitellaria paradoxa c.f. Gaertn), the work of Saïdou et al. (2012) show that the soil carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus were higher under the shea tree compared to soil which is not under the shea tree. In Burkina Faso, shea tree is a widespread species in agro-systems. The products of this species are mainly butter and caterpillars. Shea caterpillars, rich in proteins, play an important role in the lives of rural households and the economy of the country. In their larval stage, the caterpillars consume shea leaves and release significant amounts of manure to the soil surface. These droppings, from the digestion of shea leaves, are a source of soil organic matter. This study was initiated to determine (i) the amount of caterpillar droppings, (ii) chemical properties of these droppings and (iii) the quantities of nutrients that can be recycled into the soil via shea caterpillars. Materials and methods Study area The study was conducted in 2014 in the village of Koumbia (4°24'01'' longitude, 12°42'20'' of north latitude and altitude 290 m) located in the province of
Fig. 1. Map of study area (Blanchard, 2008). Determination of the amount of caterpillar droppings To determine the amount of caterpillar droppings, we chose 6 shea trees (Pic. 1) spaced 30 to 50 m of each other in fields. The height and the level of attack of trees by caterpillars were not identical. The area covered by the droppings under each shea was determined by measuring crown’s diameters NorthSouth (d1) and East-West (d2). The surface was obtained according to the formula used by Nouvellet et al. (2006): S = [đ?œ‹(d1.d2)]/4. The amount of dropping was measured on three plots of 1 m2 each under each shea. The plots were arranged on the diameter with one near the foot of shea and the other 2 on the extremities. The determination of the amount of manure was conducted in August, a period that corresponds to the coming down of the majority of the caterpillars (Pic. 2) and their collection for human consumption.
Tuy in the West of Burkina Faso (Fig. 1).
Caulibaly et al.
Page
110
Int. J. Agri. Agri. R. The amounts of dry matter (DM) of manure (Pic. 3) were estimated per hectare (ha). We consider shea densities obtained by KaborĂŠ et al. (2012). These authors determined shea densities per hectare following 6 types of plots: Young fields (cultivation for 2 years), middle age fields (cultivation for 6 years), old fields (cultivation for over 15 years), young fallow (abandoned for 2-3 years), fallow intermediate age (abandoned for 6-8 years) and old fallow (abandoned for over 15 years). Shea densities obtained according Pic. 1. Shea trees (leaves consumed by caterpillars).
to the type of plot, are reported in Table 1.
Pic. 3. Caterpillar manure.
Pic. 2. Shea caterpillar (Cirina butyrospermi).
Table 1. Shea tree density depending of the type of field (KaborĂŠ et al., 2012). Type of field
Young field
IA field
Old field
Young fallow
IA fallow
Old fallow
33.3
36
22.7
28
70
194.7
Shea density (plant ha-1) IA = Intermediate age.
Analysis of chemical parameters of caterpillar
Assessment of C, N, P and K amounts bring by the
droppings
droppings according to the type of plot
Analyses were realized on a composite sample made
From the chemical characteristics we estimated the
up from the sampling droppings. These analyzes were
quantity (kg ha-1) of the different chemical elements
made in the laboratory of environmental and
(C, N, P and K) that droppings can bring according to
agricultural research of Farako-Ba station (Burkina
the type of plot. They were obtained as the product of
Faso). The parameters analyzed are total carbon (C)
the content of each element and the amount of dry
(Walkley
matter of manure by type of plot.
et
Black,
1934),
total
nitrogen
(N)
(Hillebrand et al., 1953), total phosphorus (P) (Novozansky et al., 1983), and total potassium (K) (Walinga et al., 1989). Chemical parameters of caterpillar droppings were compared to those of shea leaves obtained by Bayala et al. (2005).
Caulibaly et al.
Assessment of coverage of annual needs of soil C by the caterpillar droppings We considered 372 kg.C ha-1 year-1 as the amount of C mineralized annually (Berger et al., 1987). The coverage of soil C need (%) was obtained as the ratio between the quantity of C droppings by type of field, and the amount of mineralized C annually.
Page
111
Int. J. Agri. Agri. R. Assessment of the economic value of manure
The economic equivalent was obtained by multiplying
following a valorization to urea
the amount of urea obtained by 326 FCFA (cost of a
Obtaining
caterpillar
droppings
in
sufficient
quantities corresponding to their coming down to trees their collect for consumption and especially the period of application of urea on crops. This leads us to make the hypothesis that the application of caterpillar manure on crops could substitute urea. To do this, we used the following formula to estimate the amount of urea: Urea Quantity (kg ha-1) = N Quantity * (100/46), N quantity corresponding to that provided by the caterpillar droppings according to the type of plot and 100 kg of urea contains 46 kg of N.
kg of urea as a fertilizer marketing company in Burkina Faso). Results Quantification of caterpillar droppings The results show that the amount of droppings produced under shea trees varies between 9.21 and 31.26 kg with an average amount per tree of 19.39Âą7.85 kg (Table 2). This production does not move in the same order as the area under of the shea tree. We note that for 53.69 m2 area, the production is 21.60 kg against 14.55 kg for 100.56 m2 area.
Table 2. Quantity of droppings produced by caterpillars per shea tree. Shea 1
Shea 2
Shea 3
Shea 4
Shea 5
Shea 6
Average
(m2)
46.91
79.88
68.53
53.69
61.25
100.56
68.47 (19.47)
plant-1)
9.21
31.26
24.03
21.60
15.68
14.55
19.39 (7.85)
Crown ground surface Druppings (Kg DM DM=Dry matter.
Fig. 2 shows that the highest production of dejection is obtained in old fallows (3 774.95 kg
ha-1),
followed
by middle age fallow (1357.20 kg ha-1). Production of dejection in the 3 types of fields and young fallow is below 1000 kg ha-1 with the lowest obtained in old
The carbon is followed by nitrogen content (10.8 g kg-1). Phosphorus and potassium contents are less than 1 g kg-1. Table 3. Chemical characteristics of caterpillar droppings compared with shea leaves.
fields (440.12 kg ha-1).
C
N
P
K C/N
g kg-1 Caterpillar droppings Shea leaves (Bayala et al., 2005)
477.7 10.8
0.3
0.9 44
484.4 15.6
1.8
4.3
31
We observe that there is a decrease in the content of the elements in the caterpillar manure compared with shea leaves. The ratio C/N (44) in caterpillar droppings remains high by the leaves (31). Assessment of C amounts produced by caterpillar OFi = Old field, IAFi = intermediate age of field, YFi
droppings and soil C cover requirements according
= young field, YFa = young fallow, IAFa =
to the type of plot
intermediate age fallow, OFa = Old fallow.
It is observed that the amount of C in the fields varies
Fig. 2. Caterpillar droppings production per type of
from 209 to 332 kg ha-1 with the lowest amount
plot.
recorded in old fields (209.94 kg ha-1). In fallow, the amount varies between 258.95 kg ha-1 for young
Chemical properties of caterpillar droppings
fallow and 1 800.65 kg ha-1 for the old fallow. In the
The results show that the caterpillar droppings are rich
middle years fallow, the amount of C is 647.38 kg ha -1
in carbon with 477.7
Caulibaly et al.
g kg-1
(Table 3).
(Table 4).
Page
112
Int. J. Agri. Agri. R. Although the amounts of C produced in the fields are
Assessment of N, P and K amounts produced by
small compared to fallow, they may be able to cover
caterpillar droppings according to the type of plot
more than 50% of the annual loss of soil C with
The results show that the amount of nitrogen in fields
82.79%, 89.50% and 56.43% respectively for young
ranging from 4.74 kg ha-1 for old fields and 7.52 kgha-1 for the intermediate age fields (Table 5). In fallow, the
fields, intermediate age fields and old fields. For
amounts vary between 5.85 kg ha-1 (young fallow) and
fallow, the amounts of C produced can cover more
40.69 kg ha-1 for the old fallows. Phosphorus amounts
than 100% of the annual loss soil C except the young
are less than 1 kg ha-1 in all types of plot except old
fallows whose C quantities cover only 69.61% of the
fallow which get 1.06 kg ha-1. The amounts of
soil needs.
potassium are also below 1 kg ha-1 in all types of fields and young fallows. In intermediate age fallow and old fallow, the amounts of K are respectively 1.21 and 3.37 kg ha-1.
Table 4. Amount of C and annual coverage in soil C needs depending of the type of plot.
C Quantity (kg
ha-1)
Coverage in soil C needs (%)
YFi
IAFi
OFi
YFa
IAFa
OFa
307.97
332.94
209.94
258.95
647.38
1800.65
82.79
89.50
56.43
69.61
174.03
484.05
OFi = Old field, IAFi = intermediate age of field, YFi = young field, YFa = young fallow, IAFa = intermediate age fallow, OFa = Old fallow. Table 5. Quantity of NPK produces by caterpillar droppings depending the type of plot (kg ha-1). YFi
IAFi
OFi
YFa
IAFa
OFa
N quantity
6.96
7.52
4.74
5.85
14.63
40.69
P quantity
0.18
0.20
0.12
0.15
0.38
1.06
K quantity
0.58
0.62
0.39
0.49
1.21
3.37
OFi = Old field, IAFi = intermediate age of field, YFi = young field, YFa = young fallow, IAFa = intermediate age fallow, OFa = Old fallow. Assessment of the economic value of manure
Table 6. Economic valorization of N quantity in the
following a valorization to urea
caterpillar droppings by the type of plot.
The results show that the caterpillar droppings can make between 10.31 kg 88.47 kg
ha-1
ha-1
of urea for old field and
of urea for old fallow. The potential
economic gain recorded is 3362, 4933 and 5332 FCFA ha-1 respectively for the old fields, young and intermediate age fields (Table 6). For fallow, it reaches 28 840 and 10 369 FCFA ha-1, for old fallow and intermediate age fallow, respectively. For young fallow, the economic value is 4147 FCFA ha-1.
YFi IAFi OFi YFa IAFa OFa
Urea quantity (kg ha-1)
Economic profit (FCFA ha-1)
15.13 16.36 10.31 12.72 31.81 88.47
4 933 5 332 3 362 4 147 10 369 28 840
OFi = Old field, IAFi = intermediate age of field, YFi = young field, YFa = young fallow, IAFa = intermediate age fallow, OFa = Old fallow.
Caulibaly et al.
Page
113
Int. J. Agri. Agri. R. Discussion
western Burkina Faso indicate C/N 17.85; 16.37;
Results show diversity in the amount of caterpillar
57.04
droppings per Shea tree. The amount of droppings is
droppings, cattle, pigs and sheep manure (Ouattara,
not connected with tree size. This could be explained
2013). Blanchard et al. (2014) obtained for manure
by the level of caterpillar population per shea tree. We
produced by farmers a C/N ratio of between 18.4 and
can however remember that for 68.47
m2
area, we can
obtain 19.39 kg of caterpillar droppings.
and
25.91 respectively
for
the
poultry
23.2. It notes that except manure of pigs, other manures have a C/N lower than the caterpillar droppings. Given the high value of this C/N ratio of
According to shea density per type of plot, we could get 440 to 3 775 kg
ha-1.
The data indicate that
production in the fields and young fallows are low
caterpillars manure, we can make hypothesis that their mineralization would be slow and may cause the immobilization of soil nitrogen by microorganisms.
compared to intermediate age fallow and old fallow. We could say that if shea density is more important in
The results show that more than 50% of annual loss
the plot, caterpillar droppings are so important. These
of soil C can be covered by caterpillar droppings
results suggest the importance to promote shea
regardless of the shea tree density. For old fallow and
protection in the fields, because lack of space the
intermediate age fallow, coverage of soil C needs is
farmers do not practice fallow (KaborĂŠ et al., 2012).
greater than 100%. For the main crops of the study area (cotton, maize and sorghum), the work of
The analysis of chemical properties of caterpillar
Cretenet et al. (1994) show that they export between
manure show that their contents of C, N, P and K
2.5 and 2.99 kg ha-1 of nitrogen, between 1.19 and 2.19
respectively decreased by 98.6%, 69.1%, 15.6% and
kg ha-1 of phosphorus and between 2.1 and 5.27 kg ha-
20.8% compared with those of the shea leaves. We
1
could explain these results by the using of the
mineral elements producer by caterpillar droppings
different chemical elements by caterpillars for their
show that they can fully compensate the exports of N
growth and development. The decrease of the levels
by crops and partially offset the export of P and K by
could be explained also by no consumption of the
crops.
petioles and central ribs of the leaves by caterpillars.
valorization of caterpillar droppings in carbon and
However, chemical analysis of the leaves takes into
nitrogen management in the shea parks characterize
account these parts of the leaves. The investigation of
by
Blanchard et al. (2014) carried out in the same area as
parameters.
of potassium. Our results on the quantities of these
These
soils
results
which
suggest
are poor
for
maximize
these
the
chemical
this study shows that the farmers produce and use 4 types of organic manure (average quality manure,
Economic
dung high value amendment, medium quality
indicates that they may allow farmers to make gains
compost and compost high value amendment). The
of 10 to 88 kg.ha-1 urea or 3 362 Ă 28 840 FCFA ha-1
results obtained by these authors indicate C contents
according to the type of plot. In a context of rising
varying between 91 and 204 g between 4 and 11 g
kg-1
kg-1,
assessment
of
caterpillar
droppings
N contents varying
prices of chemical fertilizers, the valorization of these
and P levels ranging between
droppings would be an important contribution to the
2 and 5 g kg-1. Carbon and nitrogen are the main
environmental management of soil fertility.
factors limiting tropical soils, the data on organic manure produced and used by farmers respectively
Additional to the contribution of soil fertility
show that they are poorer than caterpillar droppings
management,
for carbon. For nitrogen, manure has a similar quality
caterpillars has the advantage of reducing the effect of
as the caterpillar droppings. The C/N ratio of the
shea trees shading on crop and soil productivity. The
caterpillars manure is higher than shea leaves. Recent
work of Gbemavo et al. (2010) show that shea shade
consumption
of
shea
leaves
by
works on other feces in
Caulibaly et al.
Page
114
Int. J. Agri. Agri. R. has a negative influence on the number of plants per
Berger M, Belem PC, Dakouo D, Hien V. 1987.
m2, the number of branches loaded capsules per plant
Le maintien de la fertilité des sols dans l'Ouest du
and the number of capsules per plant.
Burkina Faso et la nécessité
de l'association
agriculture-élevage. Coton et Fibres Tropicales 42, Conclusion
201-210.
The results of this study highlight the importance of strengthening of shea parks for a significant
Berger M. 1996. Fumure organique : des techniques
production of caterpillar droppings. Data on the
améliorées pour une agriculture durable. Agriculture
chemical characteristics of caterpillar droppings show
et Développement 10, 37-46.
that they are rich in carbon and nitrogen and can contribute
strongly
to
the
environmental
Blanchard M, Coulibaly K, Bognini S, Dugué
management of soil fertility as well as the manure
P, Vall E. 2014. Diversité de la qualité des engrais
produced and used by farmers in the area study.
organiques produits par les paysans d’Afrique de
Caterpillar droppings have the advantage of being
l’Ouest:
produced on the plots during the vegetative phase of
recommandations
crops. They could therefore be valued without
Agronomy, Society and Environment 18(4), 512-523.
quelles
conséquences de
fumure?
sur
les
Biotechnology,
transforming labor. We can conclude that in addition to the Shea caterpillars are a source of protein for
Blanchard M. 2008. Diagnostic agropastoral du
human consumption; their droppings are a way of
village de Koumbia. Rapport, projet Fertipartenaires
ecological
(N°
management
of
soil
fertility.
This
preliminary work suggests research perspectives like
FOOD/2007/144-075),
CIRDES,
Bobo-
Dioulasso : 56 p
the study of the mineralization of manure into the soil looking-out the C/N ratio and the effects of droppings
Coulibaly K, Vall E, Autfray P, Nacro HB,
on crop yields and their organoleptic quality.
Sédogo PM. 2012. Effets de la culture permanente coton-maïs sur l’évolution d’indicateurs de fertilité
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